Part of the debate – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:25 am on 15 September 2020.
Charles Walker
Chair, Administration Committee
9:25,
15 September 2020
Order. I hate to break up the party, but we have work to do. I understand that we will try to get through the Bill today. It was not my decision; it was was yours. It will be about 110° in this room this afternoon, so there is plenty of incentive to crack on. Gentlemen colleagues, please remove your jackets if you wish, because it is very hot. I really encourage you to do so—if I sit with you in the Tea Room and you have not removed your jacket, it could be a rather unpleasant experience for all of us.
Before we begin, I have a few preliminary points. Members will understand the need to respect social distancing guidance; I shall intervene, if necessary, to remind everyone. I remind Members to switch electronic devices to silent. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings, but please do consume water. Hansard colleagues would be grateful if Members emailed their speaking notes to hansardnotes@parliament.uk.
The selection list for today’s sitting is available in the room; it shows how the selected amendments have been grouped together for debate. Amendments grouped together are generally on the same or a similar issue. Please note that decisions on amendments do not take place in the order that they are debated, but in the order that they appear on the Amendment paper. The selection and grouping list shows the order of debates. Decisions on each amendment are taken when we come to the Clause that the amendment affects.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
